Fish production seen to rebound in second half

MANILA, Philippines — The government is banking on a rebound in fisheries output in the second half of the year, following a decline in the second quarter that weighed on the overall performance of the country’s agriculture sector.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said it expects stronger output in the coming months as new government support projects begin to take effect.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed fisheries output contracted by 2.6 percent in the second quarter of 2025, with total production slipping to 0.99 million metric tons from 1.02 million metric tons a year earlier.

The drop was attributed to weaker commercial and marine municipal fisheries, though inland and aquaculture production managed to post modest gains.

“Yes, I am very optimistic that we will be able to rebound with our special projects like the FishCoRe project,” BFAR chief information officer Nazario Briguera told reporters on the sidelines of the 62nd Fish Conservation Week celebration at Fisher Mall in Quezon City.

“This project has a conservation aspect, a production aspect, so everything is balanced,” he added.

Briguera was referring to the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) Project, a program worth around $200 million co-financed with the World Bank that aims to improve fisheries governance, enhance coastal community livelihoods and strengthen resource management across key fishing grounds nationwide.

The project covers key areas including Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) and Region 3 (Central Luzon).

“So, what’s important is that our fish supply in our markets is sustainable. That’s the priority of Secretary (Francisco) Tiu Laurel, that our fish supply in our markets should be affordable and available,” he said further.

Briguera said the bureau is also working with the German government through the Deutsche GIZ Bluefair Fish Project.

The project seeks to improve the capacity of Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, including the Philippines, for cross-border cooperation in sustainable fisheries management.